There was the echoing sound of a dull click as the flintlock's hammer drew forward, meeting no resistance of gunpowder, the empty echo resounding through-out the hollow metal barrel of the gun. Jack opened his squinting eyes, drawing out of his cringe. The eunuch looked down at the gun in puzzlement, then up at Jack in surprise; why wasn't the man roiling around on the pavement in agony?
"Firing blanks, mate?" Jack grinned sardonically, mentally giving an inner sigh of relief. There had been no powder in the pistol. Jack swore to all the black gods of the above world and under that he'd never tease William as long as he lived his sordid pirate life. That was just too close for comfort. Comprehension finally dawning on the confused eunuch's brick-wall face, he made to backhand Jack again, but this time Jack was ready for him. Jack ducked under the eunuch's blow, sidestepping out of the way and grabbing the man's outstretched arm. Using his weight and force against him, Jack simply carried the eunuch's momentum past himself, slamming him into the unforgiving stone wall of the building alongside of the inn. Standing over the unconscious man, Jack bent down and retrieved the gun that almost cost him his manhood and livelihood. Whistling to himself he pocketed the weapon (a pirate can never have too many guns about his person) and stepped onto the brightly-lit wooden veranda of Madame Zalks.
Swaggering unconcerned into the bar, Jack dodged effortlessly through the drunken brawls and airborne crockery, seating himself at the far corner booth like he was an old-hand to the tavern. Hidden by the shadows save for his glinting eyes and glowing hair-trinkets, Jack took a moment to observe his surroundings and get a feel for the place before he begun asking questions.
Madame Zalks fine establishment was, in essence and design, the standard cast of all the bars and taverns Jack had frequented, save for one very, very special little inn in Singapore, which defied description and comparison. Sighing to himself in fond memory, Jack took in the ambience and the atmosphere of the tavern. Madame Zalks had made do with the small space that she had, cramming a great many rickety tables and unstable, mismatched wooden chairs into the small inn, so many that one could barely navigate from one side of the room to the other without stepping over chairs or tables. Jack had no idea how the serving girls managed to thread their way through the crowd with their trays and flagons. While undoubtedly this meant better business for the Madame, it meant a lot more brawls for her very crowded patrons. Wine and rum barrels lined the northern wall, while ladies pilfered and willingly-bequested undergarments dotted the ceiling.
Jack looked on calmly as he watched one man pick up a bearded midget and throw him effortlessly sky-high. The midget lodged himself in a chandelier and grabbed on grimly for dear life, as the men underneath him roared callously. Jack observed the unfolding scene with mild interest, chuckling to himself as the midget begun throwing melted wax from the candles down from his perch, completely oblivious to the fact his trousers were on fire. When the aggravated midget finally realised this, he hurriedly launched himself off the chandelier, crashing bodily onto the upturned face of the very man who had thrown him up there in the first place. One of Madame Zalks's serving wenches coolly picked up a pitcher of water and threw it over the man and the midget, putting out the fire. His temper still smouldering, the midget grabbed hold of the back of the man's collar and shirt-tail. Letting loose a scream of rage, he lobbed the man into the air, watching with satisfaction as the man crashed bodily through the front window.
Jack came to the rapid conclusion that, despite its small size, Madame Zalks was at no loss for customers, or entertainment. That, and he should never, ever enrage a midget. Surveying the foaming ale glass place in front of him by a very curvaceous blonde, Jack could really find no fault with the tavern; the ale flowed cheap and freely, and the serving girls were definitely easy on the eyes, and that was all he the prerequisites he looked for in choosing a bar.
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Thank-you to all the people who saved Jack. I got a nice surprise when I opened by inbox this afternoon; nine messages! It almost filled up my entire screen. It was also my birthday today, so it gave me an extra special warm and fuzzy. Nine reviews in one day: a record! I came back early to post this, just for you guys who reviewed today and yesterday. :) So thank-you to all those old and new reviewers who took the time to review! ;D I would mention you all by name and reply personally, but my internet turns off in a few minutes and I have to post this; so I'll catch up next update, I swear. Promise on a whole trunk-full of pieces of eight!